Contains items on: Families (2010) Genealogical Interest (2020)
*Miscellaneous (A-O - 3010; P-Z - 3020)

Contains documents and information on Vital Statistics in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Event Date : Thursday, March 17, 1955
Event Type : Death

"Late last Friday evening, March 18, a telephone call to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown of Bradford, relayed the telegram from military authorities to Mrs. M. C. Vipond, conveying the sad message that her husband, Lt. Milton C. Vipond, 30 had died in Korea. Mrs. Vipond had been at the home of her parents since her husband left for Korea on March 1 of last year. In conversation with a member of the family yesterday morning The Witness learned that while Mrs. Vipond had had no further word from military authorities, according to radio and daily press reports, her husband lost his life in a building fire in the Canadian sector in Korea on Thursday night. The fire levelled a hut in the officers' lines in the matter of minutes. Seven other officers escaped unhurt from the blaze.Lt. Vipond, a graduate of Bishop's College, began his military career during the Second World War with R.C.N.V.R. He attended Bishop's College following demobilization and went on to take his Bachelor of Arts degree and entered first year medicine studies.He was commissioned in the Reserve Force while serving with the Stormont, Dundas, Glenngary Highlanders, of Cornwall, Ont. He was appointed to the Regular Army some time later and has served with the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade in Germany, as well as on the staff of the Royal Canadian School of Infantry. Before joining the 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, he served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.Late last summer Lt. Vipond was appointed Education Officer of the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade.Lt. Vipond was married in Bradford on November 17, 1951, to Helen Brown, R.N., only daughter of Deputy-Reeve Thomas Brown of West Gwillimbury and Mrs. Brown. During Lt. Vipond's time in Germany his wife visited him there. He returned to Canada and was stationed at Grand Bend until March 1 of last year when he was sent to Korea for a year. At that time Mrs. Vipond returned to the home of her parents and at the time the message arrived notifying of his death preparations were being made here to welcome him home early next month.On September 20 of last year a daughter was born to Lt. and Mrs. Vipond, but the father was not spared to see little six-month-old Helen Lorraine.As well as his young wife and infant daughter, his widowed mother, Mrs. Laura M. Vipond, of Wales, near Cornwall, survives him.Many of his wife's friends here have met Lt. Vipond and regarded him very highly. His tragic and untimely death has aroused sincerest sympathy for his wife, who has always been one of the community's best loved daughters, his wee daughter and his mother."

Event Date : Tuesday, January 22, 1980
Event Type : Death

Description : Marsh grower Harry Verkaik died last week at York County Hospital in Newmarket. He was 69. One of the most prominent growers in the Holland Marsh, Mr. Verkaik was a key figure in the founding of the Bradford Co-operative Storage. He served both as president and board member of the co-op for many years. Born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1910, he emigrated to Canada in 1926, settling first in the Chatham area. His first involvement with the marsh came about nine years later when he purchased 90 acres of land with his father, George Verkaik Sr., and brothers Jacob and Peter. After founding Hillside Gardens in 1964, Mr. Verkaik retired in 1965. Long active in various growers organizations, Mr. Verkaik also took part in the vast relief efforts after Hurricane Hazel in 1954. He was a devoted charter member of the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church, in which he served as an elder. Mr. Verkaik was also president of the newspaper "Calvinist Contact" for many years. A funeral service was held for Mr. Verkaik last Friday officiated by Rev. James Evenhouse. Rev. Evenhouse recited from Revelations 7 Verse 7: "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." He commended Mr. Verkaik's wife Jessie and sons Gerald and Jim for their devotion and encouragement during Mr. Verkaik's long illness. He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Bradford.Friends called at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Mr. Verkaik predeceased by his wife Anne Horlings leaves his wife Jessie, sons Gerald and Jim, and grandchildren Karen, Valerie, Jennifer, Trevor, Loretta, Bentley, and Kathleen."

Event Date : Tuesday, July 30, 1974
Event Type : Death

Description : At his residence on Tuesday, July 30, 1974. George in his 66th year, of R.R. 4, Bradford, beloved husband of Margaret Miedema, and dear father of Gary, Trudy, Carol, (Mrs. A. Weening) all of the Holland Marsh. Friends called at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Street., Bradford. Service was held at the Christian Reform Church, Springdale on Friday, August 2 at 3:00 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Event Date : Wednesday, November 28, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at his home, Springdale, in his 74th year. Beloved husband of Anna Luyt, and dear father of Jacob, George, Harry, Peter, Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Horlings); Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels); Anne (Mrs. Stanley Mol); Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Van Dyke), and Anthony. Resting at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford, until Saturday noon, thence to Springdale Christian Reformed Church for service at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Wednesday, November 28, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Though in failing health for the past several years, Mr. George C. Verkaik was only seriously ill for about ten days before his death, which occurred on Wednesday, November 28. Mr. Verkaik can surely be called the father of today's thriving village of Springdale. Twenty-two years ago, Mr. Verkaik purchased some ninety acres of land, almost all of which was on the Holland Marsh, from the late Mr. Matthew Brandon and proceeded to clear land and build a neat home on the West Gwillimbury side of the river. He brought his wife and family here from the Chatham district and as the sons of the family married and built homes of their own their little group of homes became known as the Verkaik settlement. Roads were a problem in those days and the Verkaik settlement, in relation to the rest of the then partially-settled marsh, was isolated. In those years of the 30's the only access to the Verkaik property was over the hills of the Brandon farm and across a too-long bridge suspended over the canal. But unlike most of the bigger land owners of that period Mr. Verkaik made a success of his venture, and under his guidance his family also succeeded, and together they laid the foundation for today's pretty and promising village. Mr. Verkaik was born in Haarlemmermeer, Holland, in 1883, coming to Canada and the Chatham area in 1926, where he farmed before coming to the Holland Marsh in 1934. When the sons of the family accepted responsibility for the big land acreage, Mr. Verkaik moved to Bradford where he built the pretty home now owned by Mr. N. Porter on Barrie Street, and where he and Mrs. Verkaik lived for several years. During this period he purchased the site and built the building known as the Verkaik block on Holland Street north. But Mr. and Mrs. Verkaik loved the marsh, they missed the convenient companionship of their family and friends there, and in 1950 they built a home in Springdale and returned to reside there close to seven of the nine members of their family. Surviving are his wife; five sons, namely, Jacob, George, Harry, Peter and Anthony, all of Springdale; and four daughters, Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Horlings) of Holland Marsh, Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels), Anne (Mrs. Stanley Mol), and Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Van Dyke), also of Springdale. A devout member of Springdale Christian Reformed Church, his funeral services were held from that church on Saturday afternoon, and were conducted by his minister, Rev. R. Wildschut, with a former minister, Rev. Vandermeer, now of Barrie, leading the graveside prayer. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Messrs. Anthony Van Dyke, Jack Israels, Frank Janse, Anthony De Winter, Jacob Mann, and Harry Horlings.

Event Date : Saturday, May 08, 1971
Event Type : Death

Description : At York County Hospital, Newmarket on Saturday, May 8th., 1971, Anne Horlings, beloved wife of Harry Verkaik and dear mother of Gerald and Jim, both of R.R. 4, Bradford. Also survived by six grandchildren. Friends called at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held from the Christian Reformed Church, Springdale on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date: February 28, 2019
Event Type: Death

"STODDART, VERA JANEL Peacefully passed away at Caressant Care Nursing Home, Lindsay on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Vera Stoddart (nee Fenwick) of Lindsay and formerly of Bond Head and Toronto in her 81st year. Leloved wife of Wilson for almost 59 years. Loving mom of Harry (Silvia) and Sandra (Peter) Labor. Loving grandma of Connor (Rebecca), Cavan, Harrison, Abigayle and Rebekah; Teigan and Sarah. Cherished sidter of Roy (Elaine) Fenwick. She will be dearly missed. She met life's challenges with grace, a quiet conviction, and persecerance. From her humble beginnnings as a city girl, she earned the respect of the farming community such that she became the first woman honoured as the Simcoe County Farmer of the Year (19990). She loved life on the farm, cherished her family and extended community, was a dedicated historian, and found beauty in her natural surroundings. Every day that she was able to share in the splendors of nature was another day well spent. She will be sadly missed by the countless organizations for which she volunteered. Friends may be received at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Rd., Bradford (1-800-209-4803) for visitation on Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm. FUneral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 1, 2019 at 11 a.m. Interment Bond Head Cemetery. In Vera's memory, donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto."

April 18, 1987
Death

VDOVJAK, Alzbeta (Betty) -- Suddenly at York County Hospital, Newmarket on Saturday, April 18, 1987. Alzbeta Vdovjak in her 77th year, beloved wife of the late Stefan, dear mother of Anne and her husband Miloslav Masin, Olga and her husband Peter David Lee. Loving grandmother of 9 grandchildren and their spouses and 4 great grandchildren. Friends called at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Street, Bradford. Service was held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bradford on Monday at 4 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.